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“If I’m the 49ers, I Would…”: Steps to Rebuild San Francisco in 2016

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on next to quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on next to quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

If I were the 49ers, I’d leave the quarterback competition open all season

Wait, what?

Yeah, you read that right. If I were the 49ers, this season would be an open audition for 2017 and beyond. That means quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert and even Jeff Driskel would all be competition for the starting gig next year.

And 2016 would merely be the proving ground.

For starters, remember this year is a building year. Barring the impossible, San Francisco isn’t going to the playoffs this season. And while established roles, and players accepting those roles, is critical to a team’s success, there certainly isn’t any bona fide answer under center.

If you don’t believe me, just look at the research Niner Noise’s Rich Madrid did on Kaepernick, Gabbert and Driskel.

To be short, none of the quarterbacks look to be the essential link in a Chip Kelly-led offense. It is what it is. And while Kelly might be capable of making something very useful out of the 49ers current QB crop, a year of all-out competition would have its merits.

OK, so Gabbert is a free agent after this season. So he’s playing for a new contract. And Kaepernick is playing to salvage what was once a promising NFL career. Driskel is vying to prove he can cut it at the pro level.

Whoever starts in Week 1 may seem to be the upper hand. But one should absolutely guarantee if whichever quarterback has one or two other QBs looking over his shoulder, he’ll be pressed into rising to the occasion.

Or faltering from it altogether.

More from Niner Noise

There are many more steps one could take. And we could spend hours debating them.

Overall, such a discussion wouldn’t get us anywhere. None of these choices are ours to make. But for a moment, if Niner Noise were in charge, the 49ers would have a clear-cut direction in front of them.

And a team with a plan is, at least, on the move. Let’s just hope it’s in the right way.

Next: Why LB Ahmad Brooks May Lose His Starting Job in 2016

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.